The Power of Focus

Many people honestly feel they're doing the work, but they're not moving forward in life. While others grow themselves, they maintain a certain level of success. If you've ever felt you want to live a better life, you need to focus on what's going to get you there.

Being hyper-focused on what will drive you toward your goals is a determining factor in your success. Being willing to focus your thoughts, energy, time, money, and other valuable resources is one of the most powerful actions you can take.

Unfortunately, we all struggle with focus from time to time, and these days it's easy to be distracted, which takes us away from our goals. In other words, distractions cause us to take our eyes off the ball. Engaging in distractions provides immediate gratification, even if that gratification isn't necessarily satisfying.

Another issue is that people wait for a mythical ideal time to start working on their goals. They assume everything has to fall into place before they begin. This couldn't be farther from the truth. Even if that mythical time occurred, you wouldn't have the mindset to take advantage of it.

Stop waiting for the cavalry to come and start working on your goals.

Here are a few examples of focus. I always say that before you can change your life, you must change your approach to life.

1. Focus on Your Actions

Almost every goal involves actions you have to take consistently. Many people coast through life on autopilot. They never change how they approach their goals and challenges. When you have new goals, it's important to understand what input you need to get the results you want.

Losing weight takes eating the right food, avoiding the wrong food, exercising, getting enough sleep, and reducing inflammation. Moving up in your career involves upgrading your skillset, advancing within the hierarchy, making a lateral move, or even exploring entrepreneurship. Improving your relationships involves being a better listener, not trying to win every argument, and being there for the people in your life.

2. Focus on Reality

There are two parts of reality: reality itself and your reaction to reality. No matter how hard you try, you cannot change reality. Reality is what it is. Although reality is always changing, you must work within reality to achieve goals.

The problem people have is that they don't accept reality or they have a distorted view of it. They base their opinions on how life should be, not how life really is.

3. Focus on Service

Almost every professional goal and most personal goals involve focusing on serving other people. Virtually every job involves focusing on the needs and desires of others. If you want more success in your professional life, it's important to understand what people want and need.

A lawyer provides service by resolving legal issues. A restaurateur fills hungry stomachs and provides memorable experiences. Every job you'll have helps at least one other person, if not many people, achieve their goals.

In your personal life, you serve others by giving them what they want or need. Being a better parent, spouse, or friend involves becoming what the other person needs—and it's mostly not about you. There isn't success without service.

Unfortunately, there are people who go around trying to focus on what they can get out of others without giving much in return. People are not reservoirs to be drained.

The Path Forward

To change your life, change your approach to life. You cannot change your life without taking action. We live in a distracted time where endless messages fight for our focus. Focus is an integral part of your success.

You must focus on the actions you need to take. Understand your reality and your reaction to it. Lastly, focus on other people, not just yourself. Focus is one of the most powerful habits you can develop.